HPV vaccination program raises concerns in B.C.

Girls as young as 11 in B.C. will now be offered a human papilloma virus vaccine for free, Health Minister George Abbott announced Monday.

But already some parents are saying their daughters will not be getting the shots.

Girls entering Grades 6 and 9 this fall will be offered the Gardasil vaccine for HPV as part of the regular immunization schedule.

The vaccine offers protection from two strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer.

The fact that HPV is transmitted sexually has caused some parents to question administering the vaccine to young girls.

Anna Hiebert has three daughters in the age group being targeted by the program, but she says none of them will get the vaccine.

"I [postponed] my sexual activity as long as possible, and I’m hoping our children, our daughters, will as well," Hiebert said.

More time and research needs to take place, according to Edda West, a parent and spokesperson for the Vaccination Risk Awareness Network in B.C.

"It hasn't been used long enough. We don't know what the long term … repercussions are," West said. "We know that cervical cancer takes a long time to develop. They don't even know how long this vaccine offers immunity for."

The HPV vaccine will be voluntary. The province plans a public education campaign to counter the criticism surrounding its use.

Similar programs are already underway in several other provinces, including Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. Abbott said he's confident most B.C. parents will want their children to get the vaccine.